Craniofacial Injuries Seen With the Introduction of Bicycle-Share Electric Scooters in an Urban Setting

Abstract

Purpose: Standing electric scooters (e-scooters) are rapidly becoming popular modes of transportation in many urban areas across the United States. However, this increase in popularity has resulted in an increase in traumatic injuries associated with these modes of expedient travel. The purpose of the present study was to determine the types of craniofacial trauma directly related to e-scooter use in a major urban center (Dallas, TX).

Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective case series and examined the medical records of the patients who had presented to the emergency department (ED) for trauma related to e-scooter use. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables on patient presentation, including incident notes and patient interviews, demographic information, diagnostic tests, trauma (ie, location, type, severity), treatment (ie, type, admission, outpatient referral, follow-up data), and contributing factors (ie, reported or detected alcohol use, use of protective equipment).

Results: A total of 90 patients (56 males, 34 females; mean age, 31.8 years) had presented with scooter-related trauma to the ED during the first 7 months of scooters after their introduction to the metropolitan area. A total of 52 admissions (58% of all admissions) involved injuries of the head and face. The patients had presented with a myriad of craniofacial trauma, ranging from abrasions, lacerations, and concussions to intracranial hemorrhage and Le Fort II and III fractures. Of the 52 craniofacial injuries, 30 (58%) were considered severe (ie, fracture, internal hemorrhage, concussion, loss of consciousness), and 22 (42%) were considered minor (ie, lacerations, contusion, abrasion, dental). Alcohol use had been involved in 18% of all scooter-related trauma admissions, and no rider had reported wearing a helmet.

Conclusions: Injuries to the head and face were commonly found with e-scooter admissions in this sample, and the high prevalence of extremity injuries suggested that patients were breaking their fall during the crash. Craniofacial trauma related to e-scooter use could be significantly reduced by the wearing of a protective helmet.